JAMB Reveals Top Varsities With Illegal Admissions

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has exposed significant irregularities in the admission processes of several Nigerian tertiary institutions, identifying thousands of illegal admissions conducted outside the official Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS). CAPS is the mandatory, transparent, and merit-based portal that all universities, polytechnics, and colleges must use to process student admissions. Any admission not routed through CAPS is categorized as illegal and therefore invalid.

What Counts as an Illegal Admission?

JAMB considers any university or institution that offers admission without first processing it through CAPS as engaging in illegal admission practices. This includes:

• Admissions are not visible on the JAMB portal

• Offers issued directly by institutions without JAMB verification

• Placements that cannot be tracked or accepted on CAPS

Students admitted through such channels risk being ineligible for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and other official validations.

Top Universities and Institutions With Illegal Admission Cases

1. Kano State University of Science and Technology (KUST)

KUST has the highest number of flagged illegal admissions for the 2024 academic session, with over 2,200 cases.

2. Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH)

LAUTECH followed closely with more than 1,200 illegal admissions, making it one of the top offenders nationwide.

3. Gombe State University (GSU)

GSU recorded approximately 1,164 admissions outside CAPS.

4. Emmanuel Alayande University of Education

This institution had around 761 cases of illegal admissions in the same period.

5. Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO)

FUTO was also on the list with 534 flagged admissions.

Other Institutions Identified

Beyond universities, several other schools and colleges were implicated, including:

• Ambrose Alli University – about 514 cases

• Igbinedion University – 365 cases

• Akwa Ibom Polytechnic – 340 cases

• College of Nursing, National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi – 281 cases

• Abia State Polytechnic, Osun State University, and others with fewer cases.

These figures come from JAMB’s 2024 academic session review and represent illegal placements made outside the official CAPS system.

Why This Matters

Illegal admissions pose serious risks to students and institutions alike:

🔹 NYSC Ineligibility: Students admitted outside CAPS may not be mobilized by the NYSC — a mandatory service year required in Nigeria.
🔹 Invalid Qualifications: Degrees obtained through such admissions may not be recognized for employment, further studies or licensure.
🔹 Institutional Sanctions: JAMB and the Federal Ministry of Education have warned of sanctions — including prosecution, fines, and possible withdrawal of accreditation for offenders.

JAMB and Government Response

JAMB, supported by the Federal Ministry of Education, has doubled down on enforcing its admission regulations. Some recent measures include:

• Directing institutions to reverse or nullify illegal placements.

• Implementing stricter monitoring of admissions through CAPS.

• Warning of severe penalties for institutions and officials found complicit.

According to authorities, the crackdown is meant to ensure fairness, uphold academic standards and discourage backdoor admissions.

Related Article: List Of Private Universities You Can Enter Without JAMB UTME

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is an illegal admission according to JAMB?
An illegal admission is one not processed or recorded through JAMB’s Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS). These admissions are not recognized by JAMB and are considered invalid.

2. Which universities topped the list of illegal admissions?
Kano State University of Science and Technology (KUST) and Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) had the highest number of illegal admission cases for the 2024 academic cycle. Other universities like Gombe State University and FUTO were also reported.

3. Can students with illegal admissions join NYSC?
Generally, no. Students whose admissions were conducted outside CAPS risk being deemed ineligible for NYSC mobilization and may face challenges in validating their degrees.

4. What actions is JAMB taking against institutions with illegal admissions?
JAMB has been working with education authorities to sanction violators, which may involve reversing illegal admissions, prosecuting responsible personnel, and withdrawing institutional accreditation in extreme cases.

5. How can prospective students avoid illegal admissions?
Students should always verify their admission status on the JAMB CAPS portal before accepting offers or making payments. Avoid unofficial intermediaries or “backdoor” guarantees.